30.07.2025 00:36
The bronze statue of Roman Emperor Marcus Aurelius, which was uncovered through illegal excavations at the Boubon Ancient City in Burdur and smuggled abroad, has been returned to Turkey after 65 years. The statue has started to be exhibited at the Presidential National Library.
The bronze statue of Roman Emperor Marcus Aurelius, which was smuggled abroad as a result of illegal excavations in the Boubon Ancient City in Burdur in the 1960s and returned to Turkey 65 years later, has been opened for visitors at the Presidential National Library.
The statue of Marcus Aurelius, dated to the 2nd and 3rd centuries AD, was found during illegal excavations in the Boubon Ancient City in Gölhisar district of Burdur in the 1960s. The statue was later stolen and taken abroad.
RETURNED TO TURKEY AFTER 65 YEARS
Over the years, the artifact changed hands and entered the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art in Ohio, USA. The work, which holds a special place in the history of ancient art due to its depiction of Roman Emperor Marcus Aurelius as a philosopher, was returned to Turkey 65 years later as a result of scientific studies conducted by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism. The statue brought to Turkey has been opened for visitors at the Presidential Complex's National Library.
STATEMENT FROM THE PRESIDENCY
Hasan Doğan, the Chief of Staff of the Presidency, stated in a post on his social media account, "The world-famous bronze statue of Emperor Marcus Aurelius was stolen from Burdur 65 years ago. The 13,291st artifact, which has been returned to its homeland as a result of the efforts of our Ministry of Culture and Tourism, will be waiting for its visitors at the Beştepe National Library for a while," he said.